BNSF Mason Street, Ft. Collins, Colorado

This video was shot in Fort Collins, Colorado on a beautiful and sunny Saturday along Mason Street near the intersection of Maple Street. This is my first visit to this location since the entire stretch was rebuilt and they did a really nice job with the project. Trains and cars are now safely seperated. Cars and bicyclist have to cross at regular grade crossing rather than anywhere they wanted, sometimes in front of trains. Cars can still move along side trains as they go through town, but there is curbing to keep them a safe distance from each other. The northbound traffic lanes are on the east side of the tracks and southbound on the west side. The Mason Street Corridor, as it is known, is still a train whistle zone as there are no crossing gate arms.
This route, the Front Range Subdivision, is obviously and important route for BNSF. They have spent alot of time, cooperation and money to do this project along with the City of Fort Collins. They than obviously intend to use this route for many years to come.
ENJOY THE VIDEO!
Recorded: 8/16/2014
by Gary R. Zimmerman
copyright 2014
All Rights Reserved
Produced with CyberLink PowerDirector 12

[@louisvillerailfan]

solid catch a mac lead

[@JMANWiSS]

I like what they did with the traffic signals. They used to flash during train preemption, leading drivers to think they can ignore the rr xing signals, but now everyone gets red until the front of the train clears the intersection, then traffic running alongside the train gets green until the train is gone.

[@STL-Railfan]

+JMAN123436 That's what I noticed too. I haven't been to downtown Fort Collins since they completely renovated Mason Street so this is the first I've seen of it.
The trains also go much faster than they did before. I think they were restricted to 10mph, now it appears they can go around 25-30 or so.
At least these improvements eliminate, or at least cut way down on, idiots who try to step, ride, or drive in front of the trains!

[@cmhughes8057]

I love the curbing, as it really makes Mason street far safer, and it is now kinda fun to drive right next to the train when it is going through. Not like before, that was a bit much.

[@robertallen6710]

Statue looks like it was carved by a 5 year old for kindergarten lesson...